Drones can be safely used to deliver urgent blood stocks between hospitals, a new project suggests.

Researchers from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) sent 10 identical blood packs from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Wansbeck Hospital to Alnwick Infirmary in Northumberland and back again.

Half were transported by drones, the other five by road, and the researchers concluded drone delivery did not influence the blood’s quality or how long it lasted.

Dr Gail Miflin, chief medical officer at NHSBT, said: “The results of this first trial are very promising, showing no compromise to the safety of the blood.”